Nigerian rapper CDQ reveals he left his bank job to follow his passion for music, fulfilling a dream that brought him fame with the hit ‘Indomie’
Nigerian rapper Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf, popularly known as CDQ, has opened up about why he left a career in banking to pursue music full-time.
In a recent interview on the Echo Room, the ‘Nowo Soke’ crooner shared that he only entered the banking profession to honor his late father’s wishes but quickly realized it wasn’t his calling.
CDQ admitted that he often found himself writing lyrics during office hours instead of focusing on his duties.
“I quit my bank job. I couldn’t tell my mother or any family member then. I left the house and went to stay with Masterkraft in the studio,” he said.
“I told him banking isn’t my passion… But music is something that whether it gives me a return-back or not, I’m still happy doing it.”
I quit my bank job. I couldn’t tell my mother or any family member then. I left the house and went to stay with Masterkraft in the studio. I told him banking isn’t my passion.
He revealed that Masterkraft, his close friend and producer who used to lend him suits for work, was shocked by his decision but ultimately supported his dream.
CDQ then made a bold promise—they would make a breakthrough within six months if they focused solely on music.
That breakthrough came even sooner.
The duo secured a major deal and moved from the ghetto to Lekki, setting CDQ on the path to stardom.
CDQ rose to prominence in 2016 after the release of his hit single ‘Indomie’, featuring Masterkraft and Olamide. A remix of the song with Davido further cemented his place in the Nigerian music scene.
His story is now celebrated as an example of pursuing one’s passion despite uncertainty, showing that calculated risks can yield powerful rewards.
